Not sure if entirely true, the exam is not getting any easier with time plus it does need a reasonable amount of time preparing for. clearable with decent preparation? yes. a piece of cake? not so much.
Schweser, Schweser and Schweser for me as well. I think I’ve read the Schweser Study Notes three times in 3 months and did the the free GARP practice tests. I scored below average in the Schweser Final Tests (prolly because I finished it very fast) and failed the GARP practice exams but thankfully got 1st quartile in all but 2 subjects in the Actual exam (I’m 2nd quartile in Foundations of RM and forgot the other one). I’m really glad I used Scweser as I don’t have the luxury of time to read the Handbook and Core Readings as I am working full time. I think my CAIA background helped me as well (used plainly Schweser for both CAIA levels and passed both with flying colors). Will start my CFA soon and will definitely use Schweser again. I must say the 2009 FRM exam was a difficult exam- very tricky questions plus very overwhelming coverage.
Klarsolo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > blueswan Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > FRM in my opinion was as brutal as CFA L2. > Don’t > > underestimate this sucker. > > > > - Blueswan, CFA, CAIA, FRM > > I second that. Don’t underestimate the difficulty > of this exam. It’s easily as much to study as any > given CFA level, but the questions on the FRM exam > were trickier on average. I respectfully but completely disagree, even though the pass rates for both are close (~40%). I found the studying and exam questions on the FRM to be pretty straightforward, with the exception of a scant few questions on the exam. Maybe its because I have a more quant background (math undergraduate degree) and its one of my stronger areas on the CFA. The CFA exam will omit major parts of its ciricculum because there is so much material to study. The comprehensive-ness of it is what makes it so frustrating and difficult. I’ve failed Level 2 twice now (Band 7 and 10). I passed FRM Level 1 in the highest quartile for 3 of the 4 sections (the other in the second quartile). I have to agree with mcpass on this one although I wouldn’t say “piece of cake”, but it feels easier than the CFA.
I used schweser only and passed. I think it’s sufficient.
Without arguing with anyone else, this is my difficulty level of all these exams … have a quant background (engg) + mba. Toughest to easiest ranking. Luckily i did not have not to repeat an exam, so this is all based on the 1st try… ---- CFA - L3 FRM - Full CFA - L2 CAIA - L2 CFA - L1 CAIA - L1 ---- measuring difficulty level is subjective, in my case i measured it based on number of sleepless nights before results are announced 
schweser alone
I used schweser and eduleap test series (had some pretty tough qtns!)… anyone know of any good mock tests for part 2 other than schweser?? I cant go on readingg… 
need to practice tests …
Bionic Turtle is the undisputed leader in practice questions for FRM. Check them out at www.bionicturtle.com
I used Schweser for studying but used Bionic Turtle for practice questions. Schweser reading texts are great but the practice questions are not any where near the difficulty of the real exams but Bionic questions are about par with the difficulty of the real exams (this observation is common among a good number of FRM candidates). This was my combination and I am glad to say I passed both parts in the last Nov 2012 exam. This is not to say that success is guaranteed if anyone follows this advice; maybe it just worked for me as we all have our peculiar circumstances that determine our ultimate chances.